The Gifts We’re Born With

Growing up, I never realized how uneven the gifts in life could be. Some people come into our lives with endless attention, others with a little money or a dash of love, and a handful of them even give nothing at all. The more I felt I was missing—whether it was affection, support, or simply a sense of belonging—the more frustrated I became. It was easy to blame the world or the people around me, but that frustration only compounded the sting of what I thought I was owed.

The Mirror in the Frustration

When I finally let those feelings spill out, I discovered something unexpected: not only was my life lacking, but I was also lacking in the gifts I could offer. I had never fully counted the small acts of kindness, the help I needed, the simple act of being present. I can no longer blame the situations or the people. I can no longer blame the circumstances that shape us, because those too are part of us. I can no longer blame the anger I felt, for that anger sharpened my eye to the faults that held me back. I still wish I could change the world, but the only thing I can truly alter is myself.

Finding Peace in the Small Good

There is a strange comfort in realizing that the world is not a perfect place to give or receive, and yet we each hold the power to offer what we have. I may never give a thousand dollars, but in the small things—an encouraging word, a listening ear, a tiny bit of time—there is a quiet power. I will carry the regret of past blame as a reminder of my growth, and I will let that memory guide me to be a little better, a little kinder, in the little world I inhabit. If I can find peace in that, perhaps others can too.

Take the negative, the bad, the so-called stones thrown at you and build a solid foundation, pour all of your good over that and then, well we will find balance and peace. And that's what this photo says to me.

Photo by ABHIJEET SINGH: https://www.pexels.com/photo/tower-of-stones-25781559/

Thank You.